Paul Scholes has identified the key advantage Argentina possess over England ahead of their blockbuster World Cup semi-final clash on Wednesday — and it has nothing to do with Lionel Messi.
The Manchester United legend, speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, argued that Lionel Scaloni’s defending champions have one crucial asset that Thomas Tuchel’s side cannot match: proven tournament pedigree.
Both Argentina and England booked their places in the last four after quarter-final victories over Switzerland and Norway respectively. But while the path to the semi-finals has been similar, Scholes insists the champions have a psychological edge that could prove decisive.
“I think the path for England and Argentina has been very similar,” Scholes said on the podcast. “I don’t think either team has played that well, but they have gotten through games.”
The former England midfielder, who won 66 caps for his country, pointed to Argentina’s recent history of success as the differentiating factor between the two sides.
“I think the biggest thing, the biggest advantage for Argentina, is they have done it before and they know how to win these big games in tournaments,” Scholes added. “We are yet to prove that.”
Scholes’ assessment highlights the contrasting narratives surrounding the two teams. Argentina, crowned world champions in 2022, have cultivated a winning mentality that saw them navigate difficult matches en route to the 2026 semi-finals. England, despite reaching the final of Euro 2020 and the last four of Euro 2024, have not won a major international trophy since 1966.
The 50-year-old’s comments strike at the heart of England’s enduring challenge on the global stage — possessing abundant talent but often faltering when it matters most.
While England’s squad features some of the Premier League’s brightest stars, Scholes suggested that talent alone may not be enough against opponents who have already proven they can handle the pressure of knockout football.
Wednesday’s semi-final presents England with an opportunity to silence their critics and demonstrate that they too can win when it counts. However, Scholes’ warning serves as a reminder that Argentina’s recent triumph gives them a mental fortitude that cannot be underestimated.
England will be hoping to reach their first World Cup final since 1966, while Argentina aim to defend their crown and edge closer to back-to-back world titles.
